The final show jumping stage of the inaugural Saddleworld VEIS Grand Final was a fantastic success, with Toorak College taking out the Annie White Trophy for the champion show jumping school in Victoria. The trophy honours Annie’s ongoing contribution to the development of junior show jumping in Victoria. With contributors at all levels, Toorak’s captain Lily Wickenden was delighted with the success. Toorak’s show jumping team led the Series throughout, with the team boasting two state team representative riders in Matilda Alexander and Jasmine Dennison. The St. Margaret’s Berwick team finished 2nd, narrowly ahead of Hillcrest Christian College who were 3rd in the team competition.

In the top 125cm Stars level, Jasmine Dennison aboard Bubble & Squeak took out the Series championship – but only after taking an unplanned bath in Werribee Park’s notorious mud! Toorak College were in fact 1-2-3 in the Stars championship with Jasmine also taking the Reserve award on her second horse Fosbury Flop, and Matilda Alexander on the super-talented Dreamtime Invader finishing third after her top Grand Final performance.

In the Advanced 115cm level, Ashleigh Terlato from St. Margaret’s continued her dominance of this class on Mr. Flash to claim a run-away win in the overall Series championship. Tameisha Kelly from Hillcrest Christian College had a great Grand Final day to finish second, enough to just edge teammate Gabrielle Lovett out of Reserve Champion on the series leader board. 

David Charman ensured the St.Margaret’s Berwick Grammar team enjoyed further success by taking out the Intermediate 105cm championship. David and his mount Stolen Monarch were superb in posting clear rounds in every class across the competition. Ruby Conlan’s 3rd place at the Grand Final on the infamous Llewellyn Hotshot propelled her into the Reserve Champion position for the Series and ensured her a place in the Victorian team at the Interschool Nationals in October.

In the Progressive 95cm level, Ivanhoe Grammar’s Jessica Grant on Blackall Park Surprise took home the wonderful Saddleworld Series Champion rug after a hard fought Grand Final win. Annabel Nelson continued her consistent performances across the Series to win the Reserve Champion award. Primary School rider Bianca Lock finished third overall which gave her a place in the Vic team in the Primary School section.

The Improvers 85cm was won by Jessica Brown from Beaconhills College on board her magical pocket rocket Lakevale Wizard. Tegan McKenzie’s 2nd position on Josh showed how much progress the Hillcrest Christian College team have made under the equestrian program at Ayr Hill. Jessica Hivon capped off her stunning debut season with a 2nd place in the Grand Final and 3rd place in the Series. Jessica is certainly one to watch out for in the future.

The 75cm Encourage class was very competitive, with St. Michael’s Grammar Ginger Jilly taking out the Series Championship after a cracking jump-off performance in the Grand Final Grand Prix class. Alex Syme on Rockerbillie from Toorak College was the Reserve Champion, an outstanding effort in her first season of competition.

The 60cm Freshman class was dominated all year by Haileybury’s Saffron Wardrop-Brown. Saffron won the Series title convincingly, with Rohan Lock from Wallington Primary finishing 2nd.

Saddleworld’s support of the VEIS Grand Final meant that all Champions and Reserve Champions were rewarded with fabulous prizes, and their sponsorship highlights the effort they are making to support the development of equestrian sport at the grass roots level.

Siobhan Laffan from Assumption College who finished 3rd in the Encourage class summed up all of the riders’ sentiments; “we certainly enjoyed being part of this year’s VEIS series with the Saddleworld Grand Final format providing extra motivation and excitement. We are already looking forward to next year’s series!”

Source: VEIS website 

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